City Council - Regular Meeting

time. Okay. I would like to call the regular meeting of the public financing authority, water utility authority, housing successor successor agency, and city council to order. Roll call, please. Council member Martin here. Council member Mora here. Council member Rounds here. Mayor Prom Rodriguez and Mayor Zamora here. Members of the public financing authority and water utility authority received $150 for their attendance at these meetings.

Public comments on closed session items. Public comments are now open. The public may address the city council on closed session items only. For those that are here to make a public comment, you will have three minutes to speak. City clerk, do we have any members of of the public that wish to speak today? Mayor, we do not. I will now close public comments. I would like to call upon the city attorney to read the close session item.

Thank you, mayor, members of the city council. At this time, the city council will reassess into close session. All members being present with the exception of Mayor Prom Rodriguez to discuss the sole item on the close session agenda, conference with real property negotiators. Thank you. We will now recess to close session. Um we'll recognize Mayor Prom um Rodriguez at time 50:02 p.m.

502. We will now recess to close session. Um we will reconvene the meeting after the close session discussion to hear a report from the city attorney and to continue the rest of the meeting. This time perfect. I know.

They're like, "No. I would like to reconvene the meeting. City attorney, is there a close session to report?

There is, mayor. Thank you. The record to reflect that the city council recessed into close session. All members were present for discussion of conference with real property negotiators. With respect to this item, the city council received a briefing from city staff. Feedback was provided, but no final action was taken. Thank you.

All right. So, I would like to adjourn the close session meeting and start our regular meeting at 6 p.m. So, invocation. Mr. Paul Brasha, can you please lead today's invocation? Please stand. We direct our thoughts to you, Almighty God, and ask your blessings on everyone present. Please accept our gratitude for your goodness and generosity. Give us wisdom, courage, and foresight to accomplish the work before us. Amen.

Thank you. Pledge of Allegiance, Audrey Perez from the Youth Leadership Committee. Thank you, Audrey.

Ready, begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, but to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Audrey, real quick, could you just tell everybody um what school do you go to and what activities are you involved in? Um um I'm Audrey Perez. I go to Santa Fe High School. I am involved in um academic mentor at Santa Fe and I'm involved with the debate club. Oh, thank you. Thank you for coming out. Thank you so much.

You're welcome. So, presentations or Mr. Mayor, if we can take the meeting out of order, I'd like us to jump straight to u public comments, please. Okay. So, public comments on non-aggenda, non-public hearing. Um, public comments are now open. The public may address the city council on any non-public hearing items on the agenda or any or any other matter within the council's jurisdiction. You will have an opportunity to speak for three minutes once the city clerk announces your name. City clerk, do we have any members of the audience? Mayor, yes, we do. Elelliana Tapia.

Good afternoon, city council. I'm here just as a concerned parent to three young kids who uh one of them still too young to go to Little Lake School District, but he's ready. He's just not able to go because of his age. And with everything going on, including what's been on the news, I would like to plead to you as a longtime pro-UN and who's also worked uh over 27 26 years with the union for you as the council to get involved in the negotiations. I know that you guys can pick sides, but maybe just help mediate both of the sides. After four days, I will not let my son cross the picket line. Uh, as a public servant, I was not allowed to pick it. I was allowed to protest on my days off. And I understand that striking and not being able to do what you love to do just to to put your foot down and to get your point across uh on both sides. It it brings sometimes the ugliness uh during the negotiations and maybe with your help both of these sides can finally just come to an agreement. I I don't think they're far off. I know money always is an issue is an issue with families. Sometimes we fight within our families because of money. Uh and I hope that this city stays together as has been and with your help maybe you can continue to keep them negotiating on the table.

uh mayor, you as a WASA uh award winner and um uh a substitute teacher. I know you subbed in my in my uh son's class prior. Uh he that's where he knows you from. He doesn't know you as a mayor. He knows you as a sub. Um I hope that you also understand what both sides are going through. And I just urge for not to pick sides. That's that's I understand you guys are not supposed to pick sides, but help go in there and help them mediate and help them see each side's point and how we can get this resolved because tomorrow is going to be day five. And we can't just push the teachers to go back with no contract. They've been going they've been going on this for a while and just like we all you and I when we get pushed we get pushed to the limit and both sides have been pushed to the limit and right now we need to both uh you the whole city council I hope you guys can push them back to the center.

Thank you. Thank you for your time. City clerk, we have no more speakers. No more speakers. Mayor, I will now close public comments and move on to the next item, staff communications.

Mr. Mayor, if you can jump uh to um public hearing number five, please. Public hearing to consider adoption of resolution number 10009 confirming the fiscal year 2026 2027 engineers report for the annual Santa Fe Springs lighting district number one. I would like to call on Mr. Bovadia. Mr. Mayor, this is the annual assessment uh before you with the engineers report um staff reports for their there for your review. We're open for any questions. Any questions from anybody on the council? I'll make a motion. M Mr. Mayor, actually, we have to Mr. Mayor, if we could

Yeah. open up the public hearing first. Thank you. So, the public hearing is now open. Anyone wishing to be heard, please approach the podium and state your name. City clerk, do we have any speakers? Mayor, we do not. I would like to close the public hearing. Is there any discussion or a motion to approve item number five? I'd like to move. I second. Moved by Round, second by Rodriguez. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. So ordered. Consent calendar. Public financing authority, water utility authority, housing successor, successor agency, and city council consent calendar. We have a total of 14 consent items numbers 6 through 19. I'll move.

Second. Moved by Martin, seconded by Mora. All those all those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed. So ordered.

So, Mr. Mayor, today we have um we want to introduce you to our new firefighters um that are in the audience. So, Chief Kaziki, if you can come up and uh introduce our new firefighters.

Yes. Good evening, mayor, mayor pro Tim, city council, and guests. Uh u tonight I have the privilege of introducing our five new Santa Fe Springs Department of Fire Rescue candidate firefighters. Before I bring them up individually, I'd like to take a moment to recognize what they have recently accomplished with our department. Over the past six weeks, they have completed our candidate firefighter training academy, over 270 hours of training, which concluded on Friday, April 10th. During that time, they were challenged both physically and mentally while training in fire suppression, EMS operations, and working together as a coordinated crew. Just as important, they were introduced to the high level of professionalism and customer service that our department expects from each one of our firefighters. Our five firefighter candidates were held to a high standard from day one, and they have earned their place here through hard work, discipline, and commitment. That said, this is just the beginning of their journey. Each of them will now enter a probationary period where they will continue to build their knowledge and be evaluated and tested before earning their title of firefighter with the city of Santa Fe Springs. To give you a glimpse into the academy experience, we have put together a short photo montage for you.

Every scar on my skin is a story I carry. I'mma fight till I collapse. Yeah. I was lost in the dark. Had to call my way. Every night fell long. Had to fight each day. I was numb in my chest, but I still won't break. Every loss in my life just raised my state. Threw right through the pain. I was never weak. Every scar that I got put strength in me. Make love disappear. When nights got deep again I won't give in. FIRE TAKE MY STYLE. I WAS RAISED IN A COLD WITH A HEAVY HEART. Every dream that I had got torn apart. But I learned from the dark pain hard like a piece of char. Every weight on my back I still carry now. Even though I surv Yeah. Heat.

I will hold I stand because of a king in the heart of a man.

Thank you. Okay, with that, I'd like to introduce each one of our new firefighter candidates. Uh, as I call your name, can you guys come up and stay up there? And then separately, uh I was hoping the video would push me over the top as far as uh presentations of new our our our partners in crime, uh the police, uh Captain Easy last week. So hopefully that photo montage really really locked us in and uh it's not a competition just like you know rivalry, but I'm sure he also did great. Uh our first candidate firefighter that I'd like to introduce is Daniel Garcia. Daniel grew up in Woodier, attended California High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Cal State Fullerton and associates degree in fire technology from real Honda College. Daniel's first job was at the In-N-Out here in Santa Fe Springs.

Oh.

He later served as an auxiliary firefighter right here in Santa Fe Springs. worked as an ambulance operator for the city of Orange Fire Department and served as a volunteer firefighter for La Habra Heights. This past December, Daniel was hired by the city of Pasadena Fire Department. As a firefighter uh and actively attending their recruit academy after receiving a job offer from Santa Fe Springs, he made the decision to come back and serve here with the Santa Fe Springs Department of Fire Rescue. A fun fact about Daniel is he once won a college startup business pitch uh competition and was awarded seed funding money for a blue fin tuna farm. I don't I can't I don't know what's going on there. But so firefighter can candidate Daniel Garcia. Our next candidate firefighter is Raone Maldonado. Raone grew up in Long Beach and attended Milickin High School. He earned an associates degree in fire science from Long Beach City College. Raone brings a strong background in fire service, including work as a wildland firefighter with a private company, Greyback Forestry. Prior to making the decision to come serve the community of Santa Fe Springs, Raone worked as a firefighter for the city of Long Beach for two and a half years. We're excited to welcome his experience to the Santa Fe Springs Department of Fire Rescue. This past December, Raone married his wife, Caitlyn Lee. A fun fact about Raone is that in high school and college, again, this is a weird one, he was a salsa and bachata dancer.

Show us.

Hey, you you know that Parks and Recre is looking to do classes for salsa bachata starting in July. I don't know if he was going to need to fill out a side business form for this, if this is still something that's happening, but okay. All volunteer works. Okay. Our next firefighter candidate is Brian Barza. Brian grew up in Anaheim and attended Canyon High School in Anaheim Hills. He attended Santa College where he earned an associates degree in fire science. Brian began his path in fire service as an explorer with the Anaheim Fire Department. He later worked with the United States Forestry Service as a hand crew on a hand crew and he uh went on to serve as an ambulance operator and reserve firefighter for Calire Riverside County. Brian enjoys spending time surfing at the local beaches. Firefighter candidate Brian Barza. Our next firefighter candidate is Matthew Zamboni. Matthew grew up in Pammont, attended St. John Bosco Tech High School. Uh he earned his bachelor's degree in chinesiology from Cal State Domingus Hills and also attended El Camino College. During his time at Domingueus Hills, he served as a peer academic mentor. And after completing his fire uh academy at El Camino College, he served as a fire academy mentor. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys welding. Welding and considers it to be his favorite hobby.

Firefighter. Hey, Chief. Hold on. Hold on a sec. Chief, go ahead. Does anybody here know what a Zamboni is? So, uh, firefighter Zamboni is part of the Zamboni family who is actually part of the invention of the Zamboni. So, yeah. Yes. Out of Paramount. The question is The question is, do you know how to drive one? I do not. Oh, my grandpa in the back over there knows how to drive. He worked at the ice when he was 16. So,

okay. Our final uh candidate firefighter is George Rodriguez. George grew up in Woodier and attended Cal High School, California High School. He is currently pursuing an associates degree in fire science from Real Honda College. George spent most of his early career working at his family's tire and suspension shop, Selenas Tires. He also served as an auxiliary firefighter here with the Santa Fe Springs Fire Department. Fun fact about George is that he's been playing the guitar since he was 13 years old. Firefighter George Rodriguez.

Yeah. Dancy and guitars. Yeah. Yes. these firefighters in uh these five individuals represent the future of our organization and they've earned the opportunity to serve our community and I'm confident that they're all going to do an outstanding job. Thank you very much. Chief, if you don't mind before the picture, if you allow each one to say, you know, say a little something or actually also introduce who's here with you guys, too. Uh so, oh, go to the microphone, though. Sorry.

Sorry. Uh, can you guys stand up real quick? Uh, so right here is my dad, Moses Garcia. Next to her him is uh my mom, Yasmin Garcia. And then we have my Nino and Nina. Uh, then my sister, Samantha. Thank you. Um, is it okay? We're going to bring you up. Do you want to bring up your family, have one individual picture, and then we'll do that for each person? All right. Pleasure, man. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you.

You guys got to be proud. Hello everyone. Uh, I'm Ramon Maldonado again. Uh I'm very excited to be here with your your family here at Santa Fe Springs. Unfortunately, my family could not attend. Uh they're all at work and everything, but I am joined by my brothers here and very happy to be here.

So, we'll take a picture. We just wanted to take a picture alone. Congratulations. Thank you. Appreciate everything. Sure. Next in line.

Good evening. My name is Brian Barza and I'm very fortunate to be here today sitting in front standing in front of you guys for being a new part of the addition of the family here at Santa Fe Springs and I'm blessed to be here. So, thank you. And then I also don't have any family. So, guys, if you want to come back up, take another photo.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You'll be in the middle. All right. Three, two, one. Thank you. Okay, next up.

Hello everyone. My name is uh Matthew Zamboni and uh just like everybody else, I'm extremely excited to be here and I thank you guys for allowing me to be here. Uh today, my family, I have my grandpa Alan Zamboni, uh my grandmother Maryanne Zamboni, my mother Elena Zamboni, and my girlfriend Ariana. Not yet. Not yet. We have an employee who actually We have so we have an employee whose husband works at the Zambon factory.

Come on up, please. Thank you very you want.

Thank you. Next.

Hello, my name is George Rodriguez. I want to first thank you all for giving me the opportunity of even being here in the first place. I want to I honestly I'm blessed and I want to thank my fire chief as well for giving me the opportunity as well and as well as everybody standing here in the back. I wouldn't be here without you guys, without my chief and without everybody standing behind me. I want to give a a thank you honestly. Thank you for everything. Um who I have here today. I have my fathers is George. I have my grandma Lupe. Uh my mom, she's my Selena side. It's Selena's. And then I have my girlfriend Natalia. And then my brother Isaac as well. Come on up you guys.

Congratulations. Thank youelcome. Mr. Mayor, if if I can, I'd like to uh I I have one more announcement, and that's to invite everyone to this Saturday's pancake breakfast at Fire Station 4, 8:30 to 10:30. Please come by, have a pancake, and uh meet some of your firefighters

and walk it off afterwards at the artfest. The artfest right afterwards for the drone show. Mr. Mayor, I would like to thank obviously Chief Kaziki, and I want to thank the HR team. That was a big heavy lift to get all the recruits and all the recruitments done. So, congratulations, Chief, and thank you to the staff that helped put this together. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mayor. May we say a couple notes? Uh, yes.

Um, guys, um, you are at the best. There isn't anything better than us. Not that. I'm just saying it because I'm here, but you'll hear it. You'll go across country and if you say you're from Santa Fe Springs, you will be noted. I'm just very proud for you guys to pick Santa Fe Springs. And we are now your family. Your family is now our family. Thank you. so much for supporting them. They will be saving our lives and we'll be thanking them and you for giving them the support that they needed to accomplish this. Like I said, you guys cannot go to a better fire station, a better team than what you have there. These men, it's I feel so old because I remember pinning them, seeing their pinning, and now they're where they're at now. But you are with the best and welcome to the family and we will support you whatever you guys need. So, thank you so much.

Thank you. I also wanted to say congratulations to all of you. It it's probably been a tough road, but you managed to get here and I see how proud your family is. And for the ones that uh the families didn't come, you that's your family right there. We're your family and we just want to uh continue to root you on whatever you do. There's nothing too far. There's nothing unrealistic about anything that you want to do because I know that you can do it. And um I don't know if you're like the rest of them, but when I got elected here, uh these firefighters took me way up there. I don't know, he knows he was there. He took me so high that he scared the beizas out of me, but it was fun. And you're going to have a blast with these firefighters that you know, they're your brothers and also the officers here. And uh everybody that's sitting in these chairs, they're your family. So, thank you and congratulations. Uh we couldn't be more proud than we are today for you. Thank you.

I know you thanked us for being here tonight, but I want to thank you and we all want to thank you because it w if it wasn't for your hard work, dedication, you wouldn't be here tonight. You earned this. So just continue on. I know it's going to be a tough year. I know these guys, they're going to give you a hard time. They're going to train you well, but it's for a good reason. It's for a really good reason to save lives, and that's what all these guys do. And I appreciate you guys being here tonight and all of our Santa Fe Springs firefighters. So, welcome to the city.

All right. Well, they've already said it, but you guys have joined um probably the best fire department in the United States and only the best come to our fire department. So, it's you guys. And I know there was a lot of hard work and this is not over. But, um I want to thank you ahead of time for what you're going to do. You're going to be out there saving lives, protecting property, and you know, you guys are uh first responders. You're putting lives on the line and we really really appreciate that. And just a little uh fun fact, uh gosh, these guys are probably well, of course, a lot younger than I am, but uh our fire department was on Fear Factor, so YouTube that one and you'll get to see that uh that fire tower. And I was just amazed when I saw it. I go, "Wait a minute, that's us." So we we've uh made history on TV already, but welcome. And uh congratulations. I mean, how do you follow that? I mean, it's just what do you say? I mean, you guys have set it up there. You guys are blessed and you guys being blessed is blessing us and you know having your brotherhood here you know them knowing that you know the hard work that you've put in because they've walked that line before too and you know and that's what it is. It's that collaboration that you guys have and I just you know I just ask that God always put a hedge of protection around all of you guys and the work that you do. Um because sometimes it is going to be sleepless nights and sometimes it could be a thankless job. Um but you guys signed up for this and you know through the grace of God I know that you guys are going to overcome every obstacle or every chaotic you know moment they there may be. So thank you guys. Uh thank the families because I know that you guys put in that hard work to get them in the position where where they're at now. So thank you everybody and God bless you. Thank you chief. And I I think uh Chief, if you know, maybe what we could do is start like a a firefighter talent show. You know what I mean? Add it to the breakfast and you know, a little bachata, a little salsa. I heard you

know maybe a little tuna steak on the side, you know, just in case. You know what else? A little Zamboni just, you know, for Christmas, right? A little guitar. We got guitar playing over here. So what do what else do we want? You know, tires,

you know, free. And then tires. If you guys need to get your tires done, it's Selena's tires. I mean, I know I go there. I know what you know, you said. I I go to the one off of Norok Boulevard and You go to La Habra. So, so it's great. So, at least, you know, we support, you know, Selena's tires, too. So, other than that, we just want to thank you guys. Thank you for coming out. God bless you guys. All right, I would like to call on um public information officer Railen Barza.

Good evening, Mayor Zamora, members of the city council and community. It is truly an honor to recognize an outstanding member of our community through our best of SFS citizen recognition program. You dropped your phone.

You can't call 911 without it. I I'll start over. Good evening, Mayor Zamora, members of the city council and community. It is truly an honor to recognize an outstanding member of our community through our best of SFS citizen recognition program. Tonight, we proudly celebrate Sandra Sanchez for her exceptional community service and the incredible pride she brings to the city of Santa Fe Springs. As the reigning Miss Santa Fe Springs Queen, Sandra has gone above and beyond in representing our city with grace, dedication, and heart. A fourth generation resident, her roots in this community run deep, and it shows in everything she does. Sandra has made a meaningful impact by connecting with residents at countless city events, always taking the time to engage, uplift, and inspire, especially our youth. Through her efforts, she embodies what it means to be a true community ambassador. Her commitment to service is nothing short of remarkable. Sandra has completed over 200 hours of community service, demonstrating a level of dedication well beyond her years. And while giving back to her community, she has also remained focused on her academic success, maintaining an impressive 4.0 GPA with straight A's. As if that weren't enough, Sandra is also actively involved in extracurricular activities, including ASB and track and field, balancing leadership, athletics, and academics with determination and excellence. Sandra represents the very best of Santa Fe Springs. She is driven, compassionate, and deeply committed to making a difference. Her passion for service and her ability to inspire others make her a role model for our entire community. Sandra, we are incredibly proud of you and grateful for the positive impact you continue to make. You truly are the best of SFS. Congratulations.

Here you go, Sandra. We got some SFS gear that you can wear everywhere you go with your crown. Thank you very much. being amazing. Also, I do want to recognize Miss Natalie Tong from um Assembly Member Pache's office. And I didn't do that earlier, but I would have I didn't want to embarrass her by bringing her up and taking a picture with all the firefighters. Then I would have been in trouble with her. Before

you go, Sandra, I would like to before Does anybody else want to say anything real quick about Sandra? You go first. I can go first. All right, cool.

You know, when you speak last, it's actually hard because everybody already covers everything. And first off, I mean, I do want to thank the parents, grandparents, everybody who's involved in her circle of support. I mean, because she has been an amazing young lady since you were yehigh, you know. Um, you were always out there being that go-getter, always including other people. Um, it was, you know, anytime anybody tried to bully anybody else, you always spoke up. You know, it was, you know, it was always great to see you grow up because, you know, you were already at more advanced than anybody else. You you already took care of other people. So, I'm not surprised when I see the best of Santa Fe Springs cuz you were already the best when you were at Jersey, you know. So, uh, it's great to see you, you know. Um, I'm It's awesome when you when you show up to all of our events. Um, the kids love running up to you, taking pictures with you. So, it's just truly amazing to see that you're a not a role model, but a real model because you're leading the charge. So, thank you, Sandra, you know, and God bless you. With that being said, no. All right.

Yeah. Um, you know, it's great. There's three very powerful women right here. I mean, I remember I don't know if you guys ever remember if you go when you used to go to Presbyterian Hospital, you never cross Josie because forget it. She never let you in unless you had a pass. That's where it started. And I remember seeing all you guys. I mean, you guys, there's three women right here. And you set the Grandma, you set that pace to it and you set the bar high. I know dad's here and I commend dad. You had to deal with a lot of females. I commend you that. But the just just to see the leadership that you have, I mean, your role models. I mean, Sandra, you couldn't have any better role models than you have right there next to you. And like you said, you are at every event, but you always have mom and grandma with you, too. And that says a lot. It does say the community and this is the family that you have backing you up. If this is just now, I could imagine what your future is going to be like.

Thank you for representing us in the Santa Miss Santa Fe Springs. Thank you for representing the queen in her court. I can't wait till you go to college and represent us there, too. And you can come back and give back to the community. So, thank you so much. Thank you, Mom. Thank you, grandma. Thank you, Dad. And I know grandpa's at home probably. Thank grandpa, too. So, thank you so much. You guys want to go first? All right, Bill, just really quick. I This is more of a fun fact than anything else, but Sandra, you were amazing this year. everywhere. Every event we went to, you were there and you were there at more events than us. So, you represented at uh Santa Fe Springs very very well.

We should have gave her a honorary city council member shirt, huh? We could have. We could have. But it all started, I didn't know Sandra, but it all started the night of the pageant sitting next to this table and I started talking to the the the family and the dad and I have come to an agreement on something which we that's between her, him and I. But you know what? What a great family. Very I mean I see why why you are the way you are. You got great parents and and they're amazing. So it all started that night. You've done well and I've made friends for life. So, thank you.

Well, just congrat congratulations and like they said before, you know, uh Apple does not fall from fall far fall, you know what I'm saying? It doesn't fall that far.

Yeah, it's it's a tongue twister, but you know what I mean. And so, you know, and you know, you are who you are because of your parents. But then also, yeah, you've represented our community so so well. And sometimes, you know, we were at one event, I'm trying to get to the other event, but you're already there. How you got there, I don't know, but you were all over the place. But it's also very um refreshing to see that, you know, you don't have to be a older person to be the best of the best because we acknowledge accomplishments from a lot of our residents, what they've done over many, many years. You've done so much in just this short period of time. So, congratulations.

Thank you, Annette. Sandra, I just want to say thank you too because you are the best of the best of Santa Fe Springs. Your mom, uh, grandmother, and your dad. Uh, you're just so enlightening to see and all of the court as well because you all are like sisters and you're all so nice and pleasant. I told you that time and time again. They're so nice to us. They come up and give us big hugs, take pictures with us. Um, no politics. You put all that aside, these ladies know what they're doing. They're just genuinely good people and you deserve it. You're just a a great human being. You're going to grow up and be a great whatever you want to be. Go to college, be the best that you can be, and I'm right there to root you on if you ever need anything from any of us. Um, if we need to uh write a letter of recognition or whatever you need,

reference, reference, I'm sorry, we're here for you. and we just want to thank you for being in this city and being so positive to everybody that you say hello to. So, thank you very much. Thanks. Thank you, Sandra. Future CEO.

All right. Or city manager. Here we go. Uh, now we'd like to recognize National Arbor Day Proclamation. I would like to call upon director of public works, Haime I mean James Enriquez. I was going to say Hime Scalante. Good evening mayor, members of the city council. I am pleased to share that the city of Santa Fe Springs has once again been recognized as a Tree City USA community by the Arbor Day Foundation making marking our 40th consecutive year receiving this distinction. This achievement is especially meaningful as the Tree City USA program celebrates its 50th anniversary highlighting five decades of nationwide commitment to urban forestry and environmental stewardship. Established in 1976, the city Tree City USA program was created to encourage cities and towns to care and manage for their urban forest. To earn this distinction and designation, a city must uh meet four core standards that include maintain a tree board or department, adopt a tree ordinance, invest at least $2 per capita in urban forestry, and observe Arbor Day annually with a community focused celebration. Santa Fe Springs continues to exemplify these principles through our ongoing investment in tree maintenance, planning programs, and community engagement efforts. Our sustained commitment not only enhances the beauty of our neighborhoods, but also supports environmental health, improves air quality, and contributes to the overall well-being of our residents. We are proud to be part of this long-standing national program and to uphold the values it represents. and here to help

celebrate. I've got some staff from our maintenance crews that are involved uh day-to-day in caring for that urban forest. Uh so, thank you, Mayor. We are appointments to boards, committees, and commissions.

Is that correct? Mayor, we have one item of public interest, the community interest. I'd like to call up uh Gus Hernandez to present.

Okay. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, members of the city council. I'm here tonight. I'd like to invite uh our community to this year's Artfest uh here in Santa Fe Springs where creativity comes to life through local artists, live entertainment, and hands-on experiences for all ages. This event will be held on Saturday, April 25th at Heritage Park. Next slide, please. couple weeks from that, uh, we also invite the community to lace up their running shoes and join us for this year's Santa Fe Springs 5K, a fun and energizing event for runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels. This would be Saturday, May 9th, beginning and ending over at Heritage Park. And next slide, please. And we'd also like you to stick around that evening as we take you back in time to the 1980s for this year's inaugural '8s Fest, a high energy celebration filled with iconic music, vibrant outfits, and non-stop entertainment. That'll be Saturday, May 9th, beginning at 4 p.m. Thank you very much.

All right. Appointments to board, committees, and commissions. Council member Martin. tonight. Council member Mora, none tonight. Council member Rounds, none tonight. Mayor Pro Tim Rodriguez, none tonight. And I have none. Council comments, AB1234, council conference reporting. Council member Martin,

no. No uh conferences to report, but I do want to give a thank you out um Natalie, just want to say thank you to uh uh Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco. We were actually putting a bill out there AB1712 and it's her bill regarding our water and she backed it and when we went against uh when we went to uh contract city legislative board because of her backing on this they actually backed it up to also and uh pushing it. So thank you so much for doing that. It's something that we really needed in our city. So thank you and thank you Blanca. Um, just real quick too, uh, this Sunday me and Annette actually attended a Soptimus event and it was so great to see all these young women out there from two of them had had graduated from from high school and then two of them actually went back and got their college degrees. It was really good to see them graduate and accomplish that. So, it was a good event that we went to. It was it was very nice. And that's it. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Council Member Mora. No conferences yet, but they're coming. Uh, just, you know, want to thank Woody Police for putting on that um uh uh situational awareness program for our our um employees and just looking forward to Artfest and Pancakes this weekend. So, have a good night. Thank you. Now, I think I'll be looking to the firefighters. They do better. Thank you, Council Member Rounds.

No conferences to report. Um, but I do want to tomorrow for our staff, I want to recognize our administration uh staff. It's their day and thank you for what you what you all do because without you, we wouldn't be here. You keep us all straight on the straight line, right, Priscilla? Okay. Thank you. Thank you. And u see everyone at the artfest and u it's going to be a great time starting out with the pancakes and then and the what? MKY or the singer. MKY. MKY. Yeah. Who? Yeah. They don't even know what I'm talking about because I don't. But thank you everyone.

And just to let you know for administration, um Priscilla before the meeting told me that she's looking for Starbucks cards just in case. All right. We got Mayor Ven Rodriguez.

Good evening everyone. Uh I want to first start off with Saturday. I mean every we have so much going on in this city. Saturday uh baseball game for my grandson at Metro Park where I see Gus uh he has a his son goes there as well and probably a lot of other people. But I came in uh to Town Center to see if we can get a facility the teen room for our team and lo and behold I turn around and there's a whole group of people in the town center and it turns out it's our people. So it was what Arlene and Eddie and Gus and all sorts of our our what is it? Parks and wreck public works.

Okay. And it was about uh they were teaching about how um you do customer service. What else? everything, customer service, how to treat people, what to do in case of accidents, and uh just basically how to hold your head up high and be a professional in our great city of Santa Fe Springs and in anywhere that you go. I really appreciate you allowing me the time to put my input in there, too. It was lots of fun and and I want to say thank you for for uh having those those seminars in our city. And thank you to all our staff for coming in on a Saturday to do that. And yes, and Sunday, thank you to our commissioner for my commissioner and I went to church. We have to thank our Lord above for everything that uh we're blessed with. So, thank you to that. And then in the afternoon, my daughter and I go to Seroptimus focusing on women and girls. I was a 16-year Seropimus member. So, I love I love them. I always there to support And lo and behold, our keynote speaker was right here, uh, Wanita. And she gave a great her great story about her life. And one of the things that she said when she was out there campaigning, uh, she got, you know, just because we're women doesn't mean that people don't slam the door in our face, uh, because we both have gotten it at different times, but she told her story about somebody that did something not so nice to her, but it turns out they did the same thing to me. So, we talked about it and talked about how how long it takes when somebody does something like that to you, how long it takes for you to get over it. And sometimes it can be a day, a week, a month, but you know what? We get over it. And so, that's why we're still sitting right here because we we don't forget that we're strong women in our community. And um also you said something about pancakes, but you

didn't mess uh you didn't for um you didn't me um I'm sorry, you didn't tell us about the sausage. You can have sausage there, too. And we love our we love having that, too. Natalie, please tell um Blanca, we said thank you for all that she does and supporting the water and everything that she does for us. And that's I'm looking forward to the artfest. Thank you. I hope to see all of you there. So, thank you very much. Have a nice evening. Thank you all. Um, I also want to bring up administration day. I mean, I know it's not today, but you know, I do want to thank all of our administrators here in the city of Santa Fe Springs. So, thank you for all your hard work and your efforts that you that you do here. So, thank you very much. And I'm looking at Priscilla because for us it's, you know, Priscilla and Adriana. you know. So, um I also want to bring up the inservice and uh there was about I believe 250 employees correct roughly. Um so it was just great to see everybody. We we had our um Arlene there representing the police service center and we had Gus representing parks and recck. So it was an inservice for for both and uh you know they were talking about you know different different topics um of course you know deescalating situations es especially for public safety when they're out in the parks or events. Um you know so it was great to see everybody and everybody's just taking notes and you know just learning. I think you guys got there around 7:00 a.m. Is that correct? 7 to 12. And and they actually worked it all the way till 12:00. So that was good to see. Um, I also want to bring up our EIFD. For those of you who don't know what an EIFD is, it's almost like redevelopment money, but instead of it being 2.0, it's 1.0. Why? Cuz we we only get half, right? So, we only get half of the

money. But what it is, it's the county uh we have a representative named board member Andy Perez and he represents uh um um Janice Han, Ali County Supervisor Janice Han's office. So he sits on this board with us and the board process took place last year in June. And what we do is as a city is for infrastructure and so it's all earmarking for future infrastructure. So, it's almost like the investment on a house. They know that the housing the assessed value is going to go up. So, what they do is they use that assessed value to build and and and it's a great way to, you know, whether it be your infrastructure beneath our streets, curb line, you know, gutters, anything that you may see, it it's it's for that infrastructure. And roughly when we're probably done with it all said and done, um we're probably gonna be making about close to $60 million, 58 and some change. Um but I think it's going to take some years, you know, before we get to that point. But at least we're getting something where before we weren't getting anything when it came to redevelopment money, but they changed the name. Um cities themselves have to actually do this type of stuff. So, I do want to thank our staff, you know, Renee, Nick, Rick, um, Julio, who else? Kuang, and and everybody else involved when it comes to the AFD. Um, just making sure that, you know, we we're ahead of the game. So, we want to be out there in the forefront, uh, making sure that we do whatever we can, uh, to make any type of monies for for our community. The great thing about this is um no one gets tax on it. It's it's you know so there's no tax on it. It's just the return from the monies that you know that have already been invested and and assessed. So uh the city of Santa Fe Springs assessed value um is about 11.9 billion.

So, we're, you know, when people say we're a small but mighty city, I mean, there's there's a lot of wealth here when it comes to um the things that happen here in our community that happen here with our business manufacturing. And for those of you who are not aware, I mean, this is just my take. Manufacturing is going to be the new boom. Um, just because if you look at the infrastructure of Santa Fe Springs, we're about we're over 60 something years old. probably going to complete what 70 next year or something like that. So like there are wears and tears on your body. Um it's the same thing with infrastructure. So manufacturing is what people are going to have to buy. And so that's just my take on it. I mean they're they're probably talking about maybe anywhere from 20 to 30% um of a boom on manufacturing. So, I mean, so any of those companies that we have that have manufacturing in our city, let's see whatever we can do to help them out in the system in any type of ways. Um, so we make sure that we get our sales tax revenue and with that sales tax revenue, we do the necessary things to make sure that we move our city forward. So, other than that, I do want to thank everybody for showing up. Uh, thank the speakers, thank the presentations, and once again, you guys have a good night. God bless. And meetings adjourned at 6:56 p.m.